Gabriel Nahum celebrates his 100th birthday
צילום: צביקה טישלר
Mazel tov, (100-year-old) little brother
Gabriel Nahum from Istanbul got his birthday wish when he celebrated it in Raanana Israel with his 103-year-old sister; Gabriel: 'My life may be in Turkey, but my heart is here.'
Friends and family of the very big birthday boy Gabriel Nahum gathered in Ra’anana on Friday to celebrate 100 years of his life. Despite having all eyes on him, Nahum—who travelled from Istanbul for the occasion—wasn’t even the oldest person in the room: that honor belonged to his sister Sarah, who at 103 came to share in her brother’s happiness.
Even at 100, Nahum is still independent. Among other activities, he listens to a great deal of classical music and even does Yoga for an hour a day.
Gabriel Nahum and his sister Sarah (Photo: Tzvika Tishler) (צילום: צביקה טישלר)
He asked that no one press him on Turkey’s current political situation. “The Turks were always good to me,” he said. “I’ve never had any trouble.”
Gabriel and his sister (Photo: Tzvika Tishler) (צילום: צביקה טישלר)
His sister Sarah elaborated on their close relationship instead, saying that “we talk about days gone by, about the memories.” Born in Istanbul, Sarah made Aliyah in 1935. “16 years ago, I visited Istanbul and went to see my childhood home,” she said. “I was really moved by the experience.”
Unlike her brother, Sarah did offer her opinion on the situation in Turkey. “As long as Erdogğn isn’t bad to the Jews, it’s okay. But I still think that all the young people should leave. The adults have nothing else to do, so they stay. My brother, for instance, initially didn’t want to go, and by now he’s gotten too old to do it.”
“My life may be in Turkey, but my heart is here,” said Nahum. “I don’t have the necessary resources to move to Israel, but it’s dear to me. It’s my home.”
